How to Clean Kitchen and Bathroom Countertops

Kitchen and bathroom countertops need frequent cleaning. To keep your home’s countertops germ free and looking their best, here are few suggestions for cleaning each type. Stainless Steel Dry clean stainless steel with a microfiber cloth and wet clean with a solution of warm water and mild dishwashing liquid. Thoroughly dry after wet cleaning to prevent water spots, discoloration, or mineral deposits. Use a small amount of vinegar and rinse with water to remove these spots, stains, and deposits if they occur. Never use steel wool, rough cloths, or scouring pads since they will scratch the surface and ruin the reflective finish. To remove fingerprints and smudges, use a commercial stainless-steel cleaner. Granite Granite’s natural properties and unique color variations have made it one of the top countertop selections in recent years. To clean granite countertops, use warm, soapy water and rinse thoroughly with a wet sponge or soft cloth. To clean dirt out of crevasses, use a soft bristled brush or a clean toothbrush and the same solution of water and dish soap, then wipe clean with a damp, soft cloth. To remove stains, make a paste of baking soda and water or talc mixed with a diluted solution of bleach or hydrogen peroxide. Gently scrub the spot with the paste and a soft brush and rinse thoroughly. Don’t use ammonia or vinegar based cleansers or scrub pads because they may dull or scratch the surface. Due to its porous quality, granite should be cleaned and sealed before it’s installed to help prevent stains and ensure easier cleaning. Consider resealing your granite countertops every 6 months. Marble Just like granite, marble countertops are porous and susceptible to stains. To clean marble, use warm, soapy water or rub borax onto the surface with a moistened cloth, rinse with warm water, and buff dry with a soft cloth. Never let marble air dry because it is prone to water spots. If necessary, a mild bleach solution may be used. Avoid abrasive cleaners, oil polishes, soft waxes, and scrub pads. To remove stains, make a paste of baking soda and water or talc mixed with a diluted solution of ammonia, bleach, or hydrogen peroxide. Gently scrub the spot with the paste and a soft brush and rinse thoroughly. Wood Wipe up all spills quickly to prevent stains on your wood countertops. To wash, use a mixture of mild dishwashing soap and water, rinse thoroughly, and dry with a soft clean cloth. Another option is to mix 1/2 cup baking soda in 1 quart warm water, rub the paste into the wood using a synthetic scouring pad, then rinse well and blot up excess moisture. To remove odors, rub the surface with a slice of lemon, or sprinkle with baking soda and rub in with a damp sponge. After cutting raw meat, wash your wood countertop with hot water, dishwashing liquid, and a scrub brush. Then use a disinfectant cleaner or a diluted bleach solution (1-tsp. bleach to 1-qt. water) on the surface to eliminate bacteria. Sprinkle stains with salt, then scrub with the cut side of half a lemon. Apply oil to your wood countertops monthly to prevent drying and cracking. Wipe the wood with a light coat of mineral oil, letting the oil soak into the surface. Wipe up the oil that does not soak in to prevent the surface from becoming tacky and attracting dirt. If you have any questions about how to clean your countertops, give Greens a call today at 678-445-5533.    

2016 Kitchen Trends: Integrated living, soft colors, LED lighting, and metallic finishes

  No longer used only for cooking and casual dining, nearly two-thirds of Americans spend more than three hours each day in their kitchens entertaining, eating, reading, watching TV, working, doing homework, or simply hanging out with their friends and family. With all of these activities taking place in the kitchen, more features are being added to accommodate them, including island seating, built-in banquettes, desks, workspaces, and built-in stations for coffee and tea. Kitchens are also boasting the latest in tech and appliances, such as state-of-the art coffee machines, wine coolers, steam ovens, and televisions. While kitchens have always been a place to find gadgets, it has now also become a place to use your personal electronics. Phones, laptops, and other mobile devices need charging, so kitchens are integrating designated smart spaces where hidden charging stations can be installed. For many years a single shade of white was the standard in kitchen colors. While white is still a dominant color, different shades of white are now being used, as well as pale blue, pale green-gray, beige, and soft charcoal. These muted, neutral color palettes are being chose as primary colors as well as accent colors. Following the lighter paint colors of walls is a movement toward lighter wood tones, whitewashed woods, and wood painted to show the grain in flooring and cabinets. An increase in raw, natural-looking materials such as rough-sawn, knotted timber and woodgrains washed in light tones show that kitchen design is trending toward a beachy, refined-rustic style. Cabinetry needs to do more than simply store. It need to have customized storage and lighting. Popular built-in features such as pull-out waste and recycling drawers, cookie sheet, cutting board, and spice organizers provide specific storage solutions while concealed LED strip lighting is being placed below cabinets, above cabinets, inside cabinets, and below countertop overhangs to illuminate every inch of kitchen space. Metallic finishes, such as copper, brass or bronze are taking on a more dominant role. While metallic finished faucets, pendant lights, and cabinet pulls have recently been incorporated into kitchen design, look for more metal wall panels and range hoods. Granite countertops and stainless steel appliances still top the list of kitchen “must-haves” for most homeowners. After that, everyone has their own idea of a dream kitchen. If you are interested in incorporating a few of these trends into your kitchen, or are looking to do a full remodel, give Green Remodeling a call at 678-445-5533 or stop by our showroom. Our friendly, knowledgeable staff can assist you in making your kitchen remodeling dreams a reality.

Drywall Breakthrough!

I am very excited about a breakthrough in a fairly boring construction product: drywall.  Certainteed came out with a drywall (AirRenew) that pulls toxins and carcinogens out of your air for 75 years with up to 26 coats of paint on it!  Several common household products containing VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) are hairspray, air fresheners, perfumes, and cleaners. In addition to those, remodeling and building materials such as paints and lacquers, paint strippers and carpets, unsealed plywood or particle board and even foam insulation contain formaldehyde.  A new construction home (or newly remodeled area) off-gases the most in the first five years.  When you smell that new carpet smell, it’s actually off-gassing you are smelling. I know it sounds strange and my first concern was if it would make your sheetrock toxic to the touch, but it doesn’t.  It breaks down VOC’s and turns them into safe, inert compounds that remain inside the drywall, never reemitting them in to the air.  Because we spend approximately 90% of our time indoors and in our homes, it is important to improve the quality of our inside air especially to those of us that are asthmatic.  Inside air is often found to be more contaminated than our outdoor air. From a “Green” aspect, 99% of the gyp board is made from recycled material.  It is still just as easy to work with and installs the same as regular drywall.  It has the same weight and uses the same installation materials. What I love most about the product is that you never have to remember to turn it on or replace a filter.  It is maintenance free and is always working.  It is also mold, fire, moisture, abuse, and impact resistant.  It’s genius and I love it!  We just finished our first new construction installation and used it for all of the walls.

Why is the Schluter system better than the traditional method of tile installation?

Contrary to popular belief, neither tile nor grout (even sealed) is waterproof.  In a standard shower application, a pan liner is used to block moisture.  The pan liner used does not allow for tile to be applied directly to it, so a bed of mortar is used and then the tile is placed on this bed.  Because the water infiltrates through this bed, it can remain saturated with moisture, especially if the mortar weep holes become clogged or the pre-slope wasn’t installed properly.  With this moisture saturation, the possibility of mold and efflorescence or cosmetic staining on the tile, increases tremendously.  Most new construction homes only carry a one-year warranty and unfortunately, this problem may take a little longer than that to appear.  We see many houses where the homeowner is wanting to change the tile in their shower not because they want to change the size, shape, or style, but because there is a bad smell and mold growing throughout. There is a German engineered shower system called Schluter that has a family of products that creates a “sealed” environment which is stated to be even more than water-proof, it’s vapor proof.  The beauty of the system is that it doesn’t allow moisture to permeate in to the mortar bed or solid backing so there is no chance of mildew growing there.  The system allows only the tile and grout to become wet when showering which is able to dry completely between uses.  The system also eliminates leaks, reduces the potential for efflorescence and mold growth in the system, dramatically reduces total installation time and makes shower installation much easier because it is light-weight in nature.  The product may cost a little more, but having a mold-free shower is worth every penny!

Beautiful Bathroom Remodels

Bathrooms are sort of like kitchens in that they tend to be remodeled more often than other areas of the home and, when they are, the return on invest (both financially and aesthetically) is significant. Perhaps that’s because, between our daily showers and our morning routines, we spend a lot of time in the bathroom. We might as well make them as beautiful as we can! Whether your bathroom is outdated, under-sized or just not in line with your style, our bathroom remodeling contractors here at Green Remodeling in Roswell would love to help you plan out your update this fall! Adding Space You don’t need to tear down any walls to make a bathroom that feels much, much bigger. Sometimes simple changes in layout, like changing the direction of the tub or opting for a nice stall shower instead, can give you all the extra space you need. Designs that maximize the space available are kind of our specialty so we can suggest multiple space-saving layouts and building techniques for your seemingly tiny bathroom. Changing Fixtures If the problems you have with your full or half bath are mainly cosmetic, switching out fixtures and calling it a day can save time and money. Bathroom fixtures including faucets, handles, knobs, hanging bars, mirrors and even above-mirror lighting come in and out of style pretty quickly. In the 1990s, it was all about gold. Early in the new millennium, that changed to silver. Nowadays, brushed silver, aged bronze and high-shine chrome are all trendy options! Rather than just following the trends however, we always recommend choosing fixtures that coordinate with your style. Do you prefer rough and rustic or sleek and modern? Glamorous and traditional or simple and casual? Adding Tile, Stone or Glass On the floors, counters or walls, luxury materials such as natural stone, glass tile and mosaic tile will take any bathroom to the next level. Installing tile behind the sink or around the tub is a great way to add a pop of style to the bathroom and water-resistant tile floors just make more sense than carpet, hardwood or vinyl. Our staff has lots of experience installing these fine materials so you can trust that they’ll do a great job with your floors, backsplash or tub surround! Choosing Chic Tubs and Showers One change that can have a huge impact in your bathroom is a new tub. Bath designers get more and more creative each year. There are so many bath tubs and showers to choose from that we always recommend shopping for these items in-person. You’ll be amazed at what you can find. If you are ready for a sparkling new, spa-like bathroom, contact Green Remodeling today to set up a free estimate and design consultation. Our design experts can partner with you to create the bathroom of your dreams!

Finish Your Basement This Fall

With the kids once again headed off to school five days a week, you may find yourself with some extra time to think about the look and feel of your home. On the other hand, you may find yourself busier than ever and in dire need of more usable space than the amount you got by with in the summer. At Green Basements and Remodeling we can make whatever look you’ve envisioned for your basement come to life. We’ll make both your basement and your whole home feel more comfortable, more organized and more beautiful for the fall and winter ahead. Start now and we could have it all finished before the holiday season! Add More Family Space During the school year – well, all year round really but particularly while school’s in session! – family time becomes even more precious. Make it count by constructing an amazing family space on your ground floor. Entertainment rooms that feel just like a theater are a popular choice among first-time finishers. We can help you sketch out a movie room that’s dark enough for a crystal clear picture when you want it but doesn’t feel too much like a cave during daylight hours. For the family that loves to compete, a game room (complete with a built-in snack bar) is another fun use of basement space that’s sure to bring everyone together. Create a Playroom or Homework Station For young kids, a fun basement playroom can help prevent the whole house becoming a playroom. Incorporating whimsical details like bright paint or carpet tiles make it kid-friendly and kid-tough. As your kids get older, they may find that their nightly homework loads get bigger. Having an area of the house where they can go to spread out their supplies and concentrate (and collaborate with their classmates when it’s time for that dreaded group project) will help them stay ahead. Whether you think this should be a highly organized little room with built-in shelving and white boards or a more casual nook within your larger basement space, we’ll make sure it’s a design that’s comfortable and promotes productivity. Get Extra Beds in Time for the Holidays Adding an extra bedroom to a finished basement or building that bedroom from scratch is a fantastic investment. The number of beds and baths in your home is closely related to its overall value, after all. Plus, when November and December roll around, you can host overnight guests with ease by housing them in a downstairs suite that includes its own full bath. Start today and we could have your basement guest room ready for the holidays!

Up On the Housetop

Is your rooftop sturdy enough to support Santa, his reindeer and a sleigh full of presents? If that landing pad isn’t stable enough for Santa’s flying reindeer, it certainly isn’t protecting your home from the elements as well as it could be. It’s easy to see when the interior of your home needs remodeling or repairing because you see it every day. The roof, however, is more hidden from view. Often, our customers don’t realize what shape their roof is in until it’s too late… time for full roof replacement. This winter, we recommend getting a thorough roof inspection from a reputable contractor before anything leaks or cracks. If you’re already experiencing leaks or seeing patches of shingles missing, you should get in touch with the experts at Green Remodeling ASAP! The roof takes a beating from the elements on a constant basis. It’s the area of your house that is most subjected to heat, cold, wind and precipitation. With all the roof is protecting you against, a falling shingle or a visible crack is not to be ignored. And hiring a non-professional roofer to do some low price repair work isn’t recommended either. This budget-conscious strategy usually only costs you more money in the end when you have to hire a new contractor to fix the shoddy handiwork of a quick fix roofer. We repair roofs in such a way that the shingles are guaranteed not to slip down or blow away in the wind for a long, long time. Roofs require repair for many different reasons. There may be tree damage, humidity damage, shaky shingles loosened by the wind or just general corrosion. Overtime, the flashing that keeps water from walls and chimneys will deteriorate and allow water into your home. This is usually what it means when a roofer talks about corrosion and it is one of the most common causes of roof decline. Built up debris, scraping branches and nesting animals can cause corrosion and deterioration as well. Here in Georgia, we have hot and cold weather to cope with. Freezing temperatures and blistering heat can lead to roofing materials splitting, buckling or blistering. We’re familiar with all of the roof issues our Georgia climate may cause and if we can’t solve your roof problems ourselves, we’re happy to refer you to somebody who can. roofAt Green Remodeling, we handle a large variety of remodeling projects. Similarly, we handle many different types of roof repairs: debris removal, chimney repair, flashing issues, leaky walls, leaky skylights, missing or curling shingles and more. We utilize materials that match your existing roof and enhance your roof’s durability. Our workers are high-quality, too. Green’s roofers and inspectors are experienced, courteous individuals who will treat your roof right and stand by the repairs they make long after the job is done.  

Fireplace Remodeling

Any real estate guru will tell you that a fireplace is a fantastic, sellable asset. We agree. The fireplace should be a focal point that you play up with the layout of your furniture and the home accessories you use. In the winter, having a working fireplace is particularly luxurious. A roaring fire can warm the house on cold nights and add a festive mood to most any holiday gatherings. Since having a fireplace at all is already one of the great privileges of homeownership, the fireplace is often the last part of the home to get a facelift.fir If your fireplace isn’t looking as hot as it once was, contact Green Remodeling! These are some of our fieriest fireplace remodeling plans: Updating Finishes Stained brick and gold finishes look straight out of the ‘90s. We can help you bring your fireplace into the 21st century with a tile or stacked stone surround or a fresh coat of stains. Hanging, curtain-style fire screens may look dingy or even potentially hazardous. A new screen can increase safety around the firebox and make a chic statement. Remember that safety is of utmost importance when refinishing a fireplace which is why you should always work with an experienced professional contractor. Certain finishing materials are more flammable than others so you and your contractor should do a bit of research together before committing to a finish. Modernizing the Mantel Many stone and tile fireplace faces come with no mantel at all. Other mantels may be just a bit too small or a bit too simple to really draw positive attention toward the fireplace. Enhancing the mantel is one of the easiest fireplace fixes. The mantelpiece is often the part of the fireplace that determines the overall style of the hearth and, consequently, of the room… traditional, casual or contemporary. Find a custom look you love with our home design experts. Adding Built-ins Flanking the fireplace with custom bookshelves is a stylish way to add storage and extra space for décor. If your fireplace is in the family room, these shelves can be convenient places to put your TV and media equipment. If you happen to have a fireplace in a bedroom or a formal living room, custom shelving can still be an attractive and functional feature. Whether you’d like simple white shelves or elaborately carved dark wood cabinetry, the skilled contr

Bars, Theaters and More!

Your basement is a blank canvas! A place where you can unleash your creativity and create a room you’ve always dreamed of having but were never sure you had the space for such as a bar or a movie room. At Green Remodeling, we help homeowners build custom basements. We bring the expertise necessary for turning that blank canvas into a fully built masterpiece.

Basement Bars

The basement is the perfect spot to put that home bar you’ve always dreamed of. Basement bars are attractive and convenient. Just imagine not having to migrate to the kitchen whenever you want a drink or a snack during the big game. Having a second sink, refrigerator or wine cooler in your home is possible with a basement bar. This saves you space for groceries in your upstairs fridge and gives you all the extra room (and ice) you need for entertaining.  For wine and liquor collectors, a basement bar is also an ideal organization solution.

Home Theaters

With their naturally dim nature, basements are already well-suited to become home theater rooms. We can help you design any kind of home theater from a casual room with a TV and sofas to an elaborate theater with a big screen and stadium seating. We can fully wire your home theater for surround sound and customize your lighting plan to make your basement look just like a cinema. Now that football season has started, there’s no better way to enjoy college ball or NFL games. Paired with a home bar in a large basement, nothing beats taking in a flick in your own home theater with a fresh bowl of popcorn!

Office Space and More

Not every home comes equipped with a home office but most new construction homes have a basement that we can transform into highly efficient home office space. With shelves and cabinets for printers and paperwork and extra wide desktops, a basement home office is perfect for telecommuters. A soothing office design that minimizes distractions help you stay focused during the workday even if you aren’t in your finest business casual ensemble. There are so many basement possibilities! Bars, theaters and offices are just some of the most common purposes. Guest bedrooms, in-law suites, craft rooms and game rooms are also quite popular. The basement doesn’t have to be the place you keep your old mattresses and Christmas decorations. It can be a place where you work, a place where you relax or a place where come together with your family and friends.

Preview Your Finished Basement

This year, Green Remodeling introduced a 3D virtual design program. This program allows you to see 2D and 3D visuals of how your redesigned home will look after we’ve put the finishing touches on it – before you’ve actually made any changes to the space. We’re doing away with that dreaded phrase, “it looked better on paper” because we’re getting your ideas off the page and into a design program that lets you see the project before any irreversible changes are made to your home. This program will revolutionize the way you think about finishing your basement! These days, when somebody decides to finish their basement, there’s usually a lengthy planning period that precedes the fruition of the project. After all, you want to make this extra space in your home beautiful and functional, not just “finished” with carpet and drywall. Trying to picture what your basement could become with blueprints and paint chips alone can be difficult. Where will the plumbing and appliances go? How will you incorporate those support poles? Wouldn’t it be great to be able to see our plans in perfect 3D? There’s really no better way of visualizing an amazing basement than seeing it modeled to scale in a three dimensional simulation!  Our program has a large gallery of decor and finishes to choose from to simulate your style and it can clearly lay out multiple rooms and spaces in a single virtual design session. When you think about it, our virtual design previews are like a super affordable way for you to try out different paint color, move walls and add sophisticated details to your home without buying a thing. Whether you want to transform your basement into a guest bedroom or an extra family room, the program’s 3D catalog library, packed with thousands of cabinets, appliances, furnishings and textures, is sure to have what you’re looking for. Our architectural design software is easy to use and the images it creates are realistic and easy to understand. You won’t be decoding blueprints or working with vague sketches with this design innovation! Your contractor and designer will work with you and quickly show you how your finished basement or remodeled kitchen is going to look in your home. And if there’s anything you don’t like about your home preview, tweaking features here and there is a breeze so costly miscommunications are minimized. You can even move through the virtual models so you’ll know how your home’s new ground floor will look from every angle. A final benefit to previewing your space on software is that it can speed up the building process. The 3D models can be translated into construction documents so the work can start faster!